Doha – The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Morocco and over 17 other countries as of September 29, following the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah.
The conflict, which began with Israel’s retaliation against Hezbollah’s rockets by launching airstrikes on Lebanon, has raised concerns about the safety of travelers in the region.
In the updated advice, the Foreign Office states, “Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast.”
This warning applies not only to Morocco but also to popular winter sun destinations such as Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Tunisia, Jordan, Oman, and Qatar.
While the Foreign Office has not advised against travel to these countries, except for specific border areas, it urges tourists to stay informed about the latest travel advisories before visiting any country currently tagged with a warning.
The Foreign Office suggests that should the guidance intensify to discourage all travel, those with bookings can anticipate full reimbursements from tour operators.
Morocco, a budget-friendly destination just a three-hour flight away from the UK, remains a popular choice for travelers seeking to explore its rich culture, architecture, and landscapes.
The Foreign Office asserts that most visits to Morocco are trouble-free, although it claims some tourists have been affected by violent crime.
Moreover, the Foreign Office alleges that terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Morocco. It suggests that the threat is particularly high due to the number of Moroccans sympathetic to or belonging to the Islamic State and other extremist groups.
Read also: Morocco Welcomes Expanded UK Flight Routes with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays
Crowded areas, government buildings, transport networks, businesses with Western interests, and places where foreign nationals and tourists gather are at heightened risk, says the Office’s statement.
Meanwhile, a recent report by The Times recalls that Morocco is geographically very far from Israel—further even than some parts of the UK. And so far, the report adds, the North African country has not been directly affected by either the Israel-Hamas conflict or the recent intensified fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
However, the Foreign Office says there is significant support for Palestinians within the country, and rallies have taken place in the capital, Rabat.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated dramatically in recent days, with Israel deploying tanks into Lebanese territory and Iran firing missiles in retaliation. The killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by an Israeli rocket strike in Beirut on September 29 has further heightened tensions in the region.
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, over 2,000 people have been killed in Lebanon in the past two weeks, with nearly a quarter being women and children.
The Israeli military has targeted Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon and Beirut, causing widespread destruction and displacement.
More than 1 million people have been driven from their homes, including tens of thousands under Israeli evacuation orders near the border.
The escalating violence has raised fears of Lebanon becoming “another Gaza,” with the rapidly rising casualties pushing the country’s already-frail healthcare system to the brink.
